Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-10-24
SaG E.Lfe History.


SuG E.ife History.
In a little whito frame cottage on Liberty
avenue, near WyckoG street, in the town of
New Lots, tweuty-seven years ago, lived
Louis Hart and his wife, CathaTine. Tney
had fou: remarkably pretty children. Three
were boys, and the other, the youngest,
| Marguerite, was beautiful little girl but
eighteen months DID, She of course, was
the pet OF the family.
The father Of this interesting family was
a hGra working man, and earned but small
wages, barely sufficient TO supply the neces.
ssres of Iiie. In addition 10 this he was al
F.; rected WIKI lung trouble. He was brush.
maker by trade.
Next 20 tho Hatts lived e middle aged
gentleman by The name oi Edward Wilder.
This Wilder was 81 rich man. his East New
York residence he occupied only few
mcplhs in summer. His winter quarters
were iu New York city no; far from Fiflha ave-
une lie formerly had butcher stand in
| Washington Market, where, after years of
patient Ishor,..he amassed competence. He
then retired from business. Some lucky in-
VeatmantS in reRl estate made him million.
aire.
Mr.. Wider, although passionateiy fond of
! children, mad no little ones of his own. He
often cailed upon the Hart family, and ad-
u.i,ed the little Marguerite He had noticed
the struggles of the head of the family to
keep The wolf from the door, aud observed
:. iin sorrow that the poor mans strength
gas unequal 10 the tasks imposed upon it.
The baby antics of The little Marguerite bad
also worked upon his affections, and 6
great love for the little one arose in his
heart.
One day Mr.. Hart returned from his work
5, X in BODY and mind. Desttutlon stared
ban in The face His rich neighbours eympa.
H., was aroused, and, calling upon Mr.. VIII.
n:r, the latter made Il proposition to him.
lie stated bow ho had become attached to
little Marguerite, how he had noticed their
| circumstances, and wound up by Offering to
adopt the little one.
The poor man could not bring himself at
| once to let the child go, and asked for time
to consider the matter But Mr.. Wilder had
set bis heart upon gaining possession of the
/ iiltle one. and offered to settle an annuity
upon the boys if his proposition was accept
ed He also offered 10 divide between the
| BOYS valuable plot of land lying in the
northern part of New York State. He stlp.
uiated that when he should once have pos
session ofthe child it should never again be
reclaimed by its parents under any circum-
| stances, anCi that Marguerite should never
| hs made acquainted with the fact that he
was other than her own father. Quite an
| aG, cling scene ensued. The parents did
net want 10 let the child 60 but at last
come to the conclusion that it was the best
thing under the circumstances, and gave the
| child into Mr. Wider'S keeDup
Nj. Wilder immediately tcok Marguerite
! TO his New York establishment, and she
grew up to be very beautiful young wom'
an, admitted By all. She was OF the blonde
| type, with deep hue eyes and golden hair,
and skin like alabaster. Her figure was
! superb. She was the belle Of her get, and
many were her suitors. But she had not as
vet met her affinity.
In the summer of 1883 her father took her
TO Newport, where she WAS the acknowl-
edged belle It was generally known that
she wns an heiress, and that, with her
beauty, brought many suitors TO her feet.
| Amouc them vas O handsome lieutenant OF
the Uoited States navy. He was young
map with many virtues, and but few faults.
He was frequent attendant at divine SER
vices. They met at the church. A mutual
recprocation epraDg up between the young
people, and they were often seen upon the
eands of Newport enjoying one another's
society They were 8 bandeome couple,
admired By all, but envied By none. Socie'
ty began to whisper that 1t was matcn
Society for once was right. The friendship
Of the young couple in course of time RI
pened into warmer feeling, and one beau
tifui moonlight night the young man rose
to the occasion, ana the inevitable "propo'
ho1 6Y
pecting this for some time, but, like duti
fal daughter, asked for time to consider bel
answer, and in the meantime referred the
whole matter 10 her father. Her reason:
fer so doing were that she WAS an heires:
and he was comparatively poor. People
wonld look upon this as q mesalliaDce. Sht
was not sure hut that her supposed father
might also.
Mr.. Wilder listened attentively to Mar
guerito's story, and at tho conclusion ne
smiled, aud, clasping her to his bosom
kissed her, at the same time assuring bel
;hat ifhe found the young mans character
and an;ecedenta TO he satisfactory, bis pov
erty need be no hsr 10 the consum nation O
theiT happiness.
That same day Mr.. Wilder went out and
did not return uatii late. He appeared
TO be- depressed, and went TO bed without
saying 81 word. The next day ct the break
fast isole be proposed to bis little family
thu; they take trip to Europe Mar
gaerite had noticed his altered manner, and
when ,hs proposition was made she under
stood ii aS meaning that her father would
not give his consent to her marriage, au6
her heac failed her for the moment. There
was so,eething wrong. She asked him 70,
bis answer MIR, Wider evaded her ques
rlonnss as iang ~ he cau q, hn5 when she
stated that il she, did not get his consent tt
their nnion she woui,: leave her supposed